Save up to 40% on business energy costs - Switch to energy efficient lighting

There's no denying it, electricity costs can eat away at your bottom line. The monstrous quarterly power bill often feels like an unbudgeable expense but in reality, there's a lot you can do to reduce power costs in your business, starting with smarter lighting choices.

Energy efficient lighting

The first, and probably most obvious of changes to undertake is to convert to more energy efficient lights and bulbs. LED and CFL light bulbs can significantly reduce ongoing power costs, however, that's not the only expense reduction you will get by converting to efficient lighting options. Not only do LED's and CFL's use less power to run, they last notably longer as well. The extended life of the new style of light bulbs results in fewer maintenance hours spent up ladders or on scissor lifts throughout the year.

Make the most of natural light

Optimise the use of natural light in your workshop, office or work space for a completely free lighting source. Many jobs require specific task lighting to enable staff to perform them safely and accurately, but many other activities may benefit from natural sunlight either in conjunction with other light sources or exclusively. Natural light is can increase productivity in the workplace, especially towards the end of the day when many of us struggle.

Using natural light in your workspace

• Use light or white surfaces within the workspace to reflect the natural light.
• Install a skylight - this may seem like a bit of an outlay initially but the skylight can efficiently provide light to spaces like the office kitchen, desks or workstations for free every day of the year.
• Window tinting or awnings - reduces the need for curtains and blinds which tend to cut out most of the daylight.

Reduce

Many rooms or area's in a workspace are not in constant use all day. Boardrooms, break area's, storerooms and copy rooms are all used sporadically. Encouraging staff to turn off lights when they leave a room or area for a time can considerably reduce power over a year. It's a common misconception that fluorescent lights cost more to turn on and off than to leave on. Modern CFL's do work harder for about one second when initially turned on but after that power use remains constant. This means if you're out of the room for more than 2 seconds it's better to turn the lights off than leave them on.

In some situations external building lighting can be reduced by fitting motion sensors. Sensors can also be used internally in rooms which are used intermittently like hallways and storage areas.

Review the lighting plan

Lighting needs vary throughout the day and depending on the use of an area. A one size fit's all approach to lighting may mean your business is wasting valuable energy over-illuminating some spaces. Review the lighting plan to ensure you're not overdoing it in some area's and under lighting in others. Adjustments could be as simple as using lower wattage bulbs or reducing multiple bulb fittings.

Small lighting changes can result in big savings for your business.

Not sure where to start? Our experienced commercial electricians can review your lighting plan and help convert to energy efficient lighting options call 07 3883 2119 or complete our booking requesttoday.

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